[42.01] Magnetic Field Evolution in the Burning Layer of an Accreting Neutron Star

Type I X-ray burst oscillations are a promising probe of the
magnetic field strength and geometry in accreting neutron
stars. Cumming and Bildsten showed that a field as weak as
106G could play a dynamical role during a burst. Key to
interpreting the observations is understanding the evolution
of the magnetic field in the outer layers of the neutron
star. We show that thermomagnetic drift operates strongly in
the accumulating layer, leading to growth of the magnetic
field between bursts. We discuss the saturation and geometry
of the magnetic field, its relation to the underlying
stellar field, and the implications for the dynamics of
flows during Type I bursts.